NEW ORLEANS, La.- The Alabama football team conducted its third practice while in New Orleans on Saturday. The Crimson Tide practiced for two hours in shells at the New Orleans Saints Training Facility.

"It's been a great experience being here in New Orleans," Alabama linebacker Courtney Upshawsaid. "Being in the 2009 championship game and being able to play a few snaps, it was great, but I would say that being a starter on this team is that we want to leave our own legacy and come out with a win."

"We just wanted to come out and give these kids our support," Alabama senior tight end Brad Smelleysaid. "A lot of people have given us a ton of support and look up to this team so we felt like our visit could be a blessing to these kids."

Coach Saban will meet with the media tomorrow and the team will conduct its final walkthrough at the Superdome.

The BCS National Championship game will be held on Monday, January 9, 2012, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. CT, on ESPN with Brent Musberger on play-by-play, Kirk Herbstreit as the color analyst and Tom Rinaldi and Erin Andrews reporting from the sideline.